What is included in a typical hermit crab kit?

A:

Quick Answer

Hermit crab kits typically contain the necessary supplies to transform an aquarium into a crab habitat or include the aquarium and crabs as well. Some kits include a heating lamp, hermit crab food and treats and furniture for the habitat.

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A starter kit for hermit crabs typically includes a thermometer, sand, soil, a water dish, sea sponge and an extra hermit crab shell. Starter kits also often include an instruction book about caring for hermit crabs and trial sizes of salt water and drinking water conditioners. Drinking water conditioner removes chlorine, chloramines and ammonia from the hermit crab's drinking water. Salt water conditioner removes chloramines, chlorine and ammonia from the water while adding calcium and natural sea salt. Hermit crabs need this in a second water dish.

A complete kit includes the aquarium, crab food, coconut fiber, an extra shell, wood for climbing, a water dish, a sea sponge, drinking water conditioner and plastic plants to decorate the habitat. Such a kit also includes either the crabs themselves or a certificate to receive the crabs later.

More expensive kits may include a heat lamp. It warms the habitat to the 70-degree Fahrenheit temperature that hermit crabs prefer. In addition to crab food, which consists of vitamin-enriched pellets, hermit crab treats are another add-on. Crab treats are a mix of rolled oats and dried fruits such as coconut and papaya.